Incorporation of nano-encapsulated PCM in clay hollow blocks and cement layer for improving energy efficiency in buildings: A numerical approach
Raouf Hassan, Ali B.M. Ali, Omar J. Alkhatib, Ibrahim Mahariq
Abstract
The growing global demand for building energy highlights the need for advanced materials that enhance thermal performance and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This study explores the integration of NEPCM into clay hollow blocks and an external cement layer to improve the energy efficiency of building envelopes. Unlike prior studies that rely on simplified thermodynamic models, this research employs a detailed numerical approach based on modified PDEs and effective property models that account for the latent heat behavior of the NEPCM core. Results indicate that increasing φ from 0 % to 10 % delays T si peaks by up to 0.8 h, maintains it between 23.3 °C and 26.6 °C, and reduces q si by approximately 13 %. Furthermore, P d exhibits a parabolic response to ΔT s , achieving a maximum reduction of 16 % at ΔT s = 20 °C with φ = 10 %. These findings underscore the potential of NEPCM-integrated building materials to support sustainable and thermally adaptive building design.